About BJJ America

BJJ America is a world class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organization designed by Professors John Will and David Meyer to introduce and infuse the highest quality grappling experience into martial arts schools and their practitioners all over the world. It is in use in over 700 martial arts schools and is the official grappling program of the Chuck Norris UFAF association. BJJ America’s Professional Grappling Curriculum allows any style martial artist to seamlessly integrate grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques into their personal training as well as into their school’s program in a comprehensive, step-by-step, and easy-to-use fashion. The value of grappling skills continues to become more apparent and popular in today’s martial arts and street defense scenarios. If you are a martial arts instructor, BJJ America’s Professional Grappling Curriculum is an easy way to diversify your curriculum, add value to your program, attract new students and retain existing students. BJJ America offers master level instruction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/ground fighting techniques and training.

Our Founders & Partners
John Will
John Will was awarded the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Rigan and Jean Jacques Machado in 1998; making him the first Australian Black Belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. He is the top Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor in Australia, coaching and training with many jiu-jitsu and MMA fighters. John began his martial arts training in 1972 and since has studied all over the world, including in Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, India, USA, and Brazil, with such notables as Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Gene “Judo” LeBell, Shuki Ron, Pete Cunningham, Rorion and Rickson Gracie, and the Machado Brothers. He has black belts in numerous styles of martial arts and has studied forms of grappling ranging from Western wrestling to obscure Asian grappling arts. He was the first Caucasian to win the world championship in Pentjak Silat in Indonesia. In the late 1980’s, a friendship with Rigan Machado allowed John to travel to and train in Brazil, and so began his serious study of Brazilian jiu jitsu. John now conducts in excess of 50 grappling seminars throughout Australia and overseas each year.

He also works with Australian law enforcement groups and Special Operations personnel to improve their arrest and control procedures. Between writing books, running seminars, traveling and training with the world’s martial arts elite, this 3-time winner of the Blitz Martial Arts Hall of Fame Award can still be found most often at his schools in Melbourne and Geelong, Australia. John also created the Alpha MMA Curriculum, a Mixed Martial Arts Curriculum.

David Meyer

David Meyer began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1992, and is one of the first Americans to reach black belt, receiving his rank in 1996. He is a student of Rigan, Jean Jacques, Carlos, John and Roger Machado. He is one of the pioneer American competitors to become a world-class fighter in the sport, and is the coach and training partner for numerous MMA fighters in Los Angeles and San Francisco, currently training with the Cesar Gracie team, Jake Shields, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez, and Eduardo Rocha and Mike Valentine in the San Francisco area. He authored the book “Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling,” and co-authored “The Triangle” with Rigan Machado. His many titles include:

David began training jujitsu as a young child in 1968 under Sensei Jack Seki. He received his 1st Dan in 1977. He trained White Lotus Kung Fu under Sifu Douglas Wong and taught jujitsu at Steven Seagal’s Tenshin Dojo from 1984-1987. He was head instructor of jujitsu at UCLA from 1980-85. He received his 3rd Dan in jujitsu under Sensei Jack Seki and holds a 4th Dan under Prof. Wally Jay.

David is also a passionate advocate for animal welfare and has been a vegetarian since 1985. He launched www.FuelForTheFighter.com to show how MMA and BJJ fighters can be vegan/vegetarian and have increases in their strength and endurance. He co-founded Adopt-a-Pet.com, the world’s largest non-profit pet adoption website where you can adopt a pet, promoting dog adoption and cat adoption by listing pets to rescue at animal shelters and humane societies around the country.

Brian Johnson

With over 25 years in the Martial Arts, Instructor Brian Johnson coaches students and combat athletes in grappling tournaments and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions through out the Northwest. Besides coaching Brian also enjoys actively competing. Some of his accomplishments include:

Through his experiences coaching and competing Brian has helped develop a successful Grappling Seminar program popular with a diverse range of martial arts schools and styles all over the US and Canada.